Game Recap: Notre Dame Assures CFP Birth With Win Over USC

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LOS ANGELES — Not since Jack Elder in 1929 has Notre Dame seen an interception returned 96-plus yards for a touchdown. On a clear Saturday night at the Los Angeles Coliseum, the Fighting Irish had not one, but two pick-sixes that put the game on ice against their long-time rival Southern California.

Christian Gray’s 99-yard interception returned for a touchdown put the game out of reach in the waning minutes of the ball game. Xavier Watts took another one 100 yards to the house to ensure a 49-35 victory for Notre Dame.

The victory was required for the Fighting Irish to have any chance at making the College Football Playoff. Head coach Marcus Freeman stressed “preparation” for his squad this week as he called USC the “most talented opponent they’ll face all season.”

Notre Dame’s defense certainly looks as prepared as ever as they held the Trojans to a turnover on downs after they had marched 10 plays downfield on the game’s first possession.

The Irish offense took the gift from their defense and turned it into points going 13-plays to to the endzone thanks to the running ability of Jeremiyah Love. A USC punt forced by the defense appeared to put the game in control of Notre Dame. However, a fumble two plays into the next drive led USC to tie the game up off a touchdown run from quarterback Jayden Maiava.

Trading touchdowns again, the pair would go to halftime tied 14-14.

Notre Dame took the lead back starting the second half with quarterback Riley Leonard hitting Kris Mitchell on a big pass. That was followed by a 36-yard run to the endzone by Jadarian Price.

USC equaled the effort on their subsequent drive, Maiava hitting Duce Robinson and Walker Lyons with big pass completions in the process.

Knotted 21-21, both teams needed separation with midway through the 3rd quarter. The Irish got it off a touchdown drive capped off by Leonard punching it in. After a punt from USC, Leonard threw an interception setting up USC with good field position. The defense answered the call yet again forcing their second turnover on downs.

Jadarian Price then set up Riley Leonard to hit Mitchell Evans in the endzone for a touchdown on a three-play drive making 35-21.

The game was far from secure. The Irish needed to hold the line for one more quarter, but USC showed no quit as they methodically got downfield to pull the game to 35-28.

As the Irish offense began to show some fatigue, the defense again came up big. Maiava was picked off not once, but twice in the game’s closing minutes, both returned for touchdowns by Gray and Watts. USC scored once more in ‘garbage time’, but the defensive effort for Notre Dame is what made the difference. The Irish took the 49-35 victory, the highest-scoring game between the two in the 95 times they have faced each other.

The Jeweled Shillelagh is returning to South Bend!

Despite the interception, Riley Leonard threw a solid game for 155 yards and two touchdowns. Jadarian Price led the rushing effort with 12 carries for 112 yards and a touchdown. Jeremiyah Love added 99 yards with a touchdown but also left the game early with an apparent leg injury.

Xavier Watts’ pick-six was his 12th career interception, giving him the all-time record at Notre Dame.

With 11 wins and one loss on the season, the Fighting Irish have all but assured themselves a spot in the College Football Playoff. Because they remain unaffiliated with a conference they can only be seeded as high as the 5-seed.

The final regular season College Football Playoff rankings come out on Tuesday.

Game Recap: Notre Dame Assures CFP Birth With Win Over USC was originally published on wibc.com